ALBANY – New legislation sponsored by State Senator Tom Libous (R-52nd District) is taking a stance against pet owners who pierce or tattoo their animals purely for cosmetic reasons.

The bill, signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday, strictly prohibits piercing and tattooing of cats, dogs and all other pets solely for the pleasure of the owner, except under limited circumstances such as ear tags on rabbits, tattoos for identification purposes, or piercings that provide medical benefit to the animal and is performed by or under supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

According to state legislators, the law takes action to protect animals from unnecessary harm. Governor Cuomo described the practice of animal tattooing and piercing as “animal abuse, pure and simple.”